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Ezekiel 17:7

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There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

There was also another {H259} great {H1419} eagle {H5404} with great {H1419} wings {H3671} and many {H7227} feathers {H5133}: and, behold, this vine {H1612} did bend {H3719} her roots {H8328} toward him, and shot forth {H7971} her branches {H1808} toward him, that he might water {H8248} it by the furrows {H6170} of her plantation {H4302}.

"'There was another big eagle with great wings and many feathers; and the vine bent its roots toward him and put forth its branches toward him, so that he might water it more than in the bed where it was planted.

But there was another great eagle with great wings and many feathers. And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him. It stretched out its branches to him from its planting bed, so that he might water it.

There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

Commentary

Ezekiel 17:7 is a crucial verse within the allegorical riddle of the two eagles and the vine, given by God through the prophet Ezekiel to the house of Israel. This specific verse introduces the second "great eagle" and describes the vine's desperate turn towards it, symbolizing a pivotal moment of political and spiritual disloyalty.

Context

The entire chapter of Ezekiel 17 presents a complex parable designed to illustrate King Zedekiah of Judah's rebellion against Babylon and the severe consequences that would follow. The first "great eagle" mentioned earlier in the chapter (Ezekiel 17:3) represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who had carried away the top of the cedar (Jehoiachin and the leading citizens of Jerusalem) and established Zedekiah as a vassal king, bound by a solemn oath.

Verse 7 introduces "another great eagle with great wings and many feathers," which symbolizes Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt. Egypt, a powerful nation with a long history of influence in the region, is depicted with imagery emphasizing its strength and capacity to offer assistance. The "vine" in the parable represents the kingdom of Judah, specifically King Zedekiah, who had sworn allegiance to Babylon. Zedekiah, despite his covenant with Nebuchadnezzar, began to look for external support to break free from Babylonian rule. This verse vividly portrays Judah's desperate act: the vine "did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him," indicating Zedekiah's appeal to Egypt for military aid and sustenance, hoping "that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation." This act of seeking Egyptian help was a direct violation of his oath to Babylon, an act of treachery that God viewed as a profound breach of covenant, as highlighted in Ezekiel 17:15.

Key Themes

  • Treachery and Broken Covenants: The primary theme is Zedekiah's violation of his oath to Babylon, which God considered a serious offense because it was made in His name. This act of breaking a solemn covenant underscores the gravity of disloyalty.
  • False Reliance: The vine's turning to the second eagle (Egypt) represents Judah's misplaced trust in human alliances rather than relying on God's sovereignty and protection. This theme is common throughout the prophetic books, warning against seeking help from foreign powers over divine guidance (Isaiah 31:1).
  • Divine Judgment: The parable sets the stage for God's inevitable judgment upon Judah for its rebellion and faithlessness. While Zedekiah sought relief from Babylon, his actions ultimately brought about Jerusalem's destruction.
  • God's Sovereignty: Despite the human political maneuvering, the overarching message is that God is in control. He uses nations and rulers as instruments to fulfill His purposes and bring about His righteous judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text uses vivid, agricultural language to convey the political realities. The phrase "bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him" is highly evocative, illustrating the vine's (Judah's) active and intentional re-orientation of its entire being towards the second eagle (Egypt). The imagery of the vine seeking to be "water[ed]... by the furrows of her plantation" speaks to the fundamental need for life and sustenance, highlighting Judah's desperation for military and economic support from Egypt. This allegorical language makes the complex political situation understandable and memorable.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:7 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in God Alone: This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of placing our trust and hope in human power, alliances, or worldly solutions rather than in God's unfailing strength and provision. Just as Judah sought help from Egypt, we can be tempted to rely on our own resources or external systems instead of seeking God's will and trusting His plan.
  • Integrity and Faithfulness: The breaking of Zedekiah's covenant underscores the importance of integrity, faithfulness, and keeping one's word, especially when commitments are made before God. Our spiritual and practical walk should reflect honesty and steadfastness.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The eventual downfall of Jerusalem demonstrates that turning away from God's established path, even if it seems politically expedient, inevitably leads to negative consequences. Disobedience to God's principles, whether personal or corporate, carries a significant cost.

Ultimately, this verse from Ezekiel highlights the folly of seeking human deliverance outside of God's will and the unwavering truth that God holds nations and individuals accountable for their actions and their faithfulness to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 31:4 (3 votes)

    The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.

  • Ezekiel 17:15 (3 votes)

    But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

  • 2 Kings 24:20 (2 votes)

    For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:13 (2 votes)

    And under their hand [was] an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.

  • Jeremiah 37:5 (2 votes)

    Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 37:7 (2 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.